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Ramah: Air Characteristic for Violin and Piano
was written in 1923 while Dett was employed at the Hampton Institute. Dr.
Harvey J. Stokes, currently a Professor of Music at Hampton University,
has remarked, "...[This work] is not as well known as the choral or piano
compositions of this composer, but it is clearly a work that is a musical
jewel. The deft modal melodic phrasings in the violin are conceived
idiomatically, with beautiful, harp–like accompaniments in the piano.
This single–movement work articulates, in an intimate medium, many of the
postromantic and nationalistic tendencies of this composer's music." Dett
biographer, Anne Key Simpson, suggests that the title "Ramah" was likely
given after the biblical (Old Testament) towns of the same name. |